Something that hit me the last time I rode through the West Islip yard going east of Babylon...

If Babylon was always to have been the end of electrification (as it has been all along on the line), I'd have expected the yard east of the station to have had its multiple tracks all dead ended. However, the majority of the tracks on the east side of the yard all reconvene into one lead just in time to cross Higbie Lane, and continues a while further down (this and the Montauk tracks also have third rail up until the signal gantry).

I assume this was done for extra equipment moves at the very least? Did the yard always look this way, or was this another move to maybe get the line ready for electrification eastward (such as elevating the platforms at Bay Shore in the early 80s)?

I would tend to agree, if I didn't already know that diesels are stored in Speonk for the most part.

For those not local to LI, the Babylon-Patchogue "Scoot" comes westbound into track 2, then discharges its passengers on its right side, facing track 1 for westbound electric service. Some time later on, the doors on the other side are opened, facing track 3, and when an eastbound electric stops at the station, the consist then continues back east.

I'm not sure I've ever in my 40-plus years seen any diesel or bi-levels staying in the West Islip yard.

Babylon Yard, it's called that, though it is in West Islip has 9 tracks (plus the shed track) that can be accessed from both the west and east ends. Occasionally, but seldom, MU equipment will go out the east end, over Higbie Lane, then come back west to the station. (ie when there is a disabled train on the west leg of the yard)

How long back it (the east exit tracks) have been electrified is anyone's guess. I will say, at least the last 48 years, as the MU shop has both east and west doors/trackage.

Diesel equipment also does lay up in the yard, usually on weekends, also not often.

[quote="BuddR32"]Babylon Yard, it's called that, though it is in West Islip has 9 tracks (plus the shed track) that can be accessed from both the west and east ends. Occasionally, but seldom, MU equipment will go out the east end, over Higbie Lane, then come back west to the station. (ie when there is a disabled train on the west leg of the yard) How long back it (the east exit tracks) have been electrified is anyone's guess. I will say, at least the last 48 years, as the MU shop has both east and west doors/trackage.